Latch.



Patented July 25, 1916.

i5@ m ,Mizuwwm Il! 4L. OTTINGER.

LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAH. 26, 1915.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEii-cE.

LEON OTTINGER, OF'NEW YORK, N. Y.

LATCH.

Application led March 2,6, 1915. Serial No. 17,087.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, LEON O'ITINGER,y a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, county and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches, Vof, which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to latches for doors where it is desired to provide means for automatically operatinga latch to fasten a door upon closure of the same and at the same time to enable a slight movement be? tween the door and the casing without any liability of the door working loose, or of opening unintentionally.'

My invention is particularly applicable to doors for automobiles where the spring or elasticity of the chassis causes the door to move slightly in its casing without looseness.

It also comprises means in connection -with the latch so that the parts are always held under spring pressure, the pressure being exerted in every direction in which there is liable to be a movement between the door and the casing.

My invention also comprises means for preventing the door from being accidentally pushed open by pressure from the inside, while at the same time if it is desired to open the door the same may be accomplished by a comparatively slight pressure upon the handle or knob provided for that purpose.-

Further advantages and functions of my improved latch will 'be hereinafter more fully pointed out in the specification and claimed in the accompanying claims.

For a detailed description of onel form of my invention, which I at present deem preferable, reference may beA had to the following specification and to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a door casing and door, showing the parts of my improved latch in elevation therein and in their, locked or latched position. Fig. 2 is a similar view, but showing the partsin their unlocked or unlatched position. Fig.

Specification of Letters Patent.

3 is a horizontal sectional view of a doorY and casing, taken substantially on the line IIL-HI, Fig. 1, showing the latch member also in section, the parts ofthe latch being in their engaged or locked position. Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3, but showing the parts of the latch in unlocked position, and

Patented July the door slightly open or separatedfrom the l casing. Fig. l5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the door andcasing taken,`

substantially -on the line V-V, Fig. l, and showing the parts of the latch in plan view.

Fig. 6 is a similar View, but showing the door and casing slightly separated. Fig. 7.

is a vertical sectional view of the door casing taken' substantially on the line VII-eVII, of Fig. 1, showing the door itself in elevation and the latching member in section.

Referring to the drawings, the numerall indicates the body 'of a door, and the 11umeral 2 indicates the door casing or jamb which with the socket or recess therein,lcon

stitutes the latch engaging member. The parts of the latch are preferably mounted on a suitable frame or casing 3 which xis' essary spring pressure to hold the latch 4- in extended or withdrawn position .is providedby a spring-pressed plunger or head 6 mounted in a spring barrel or tube 7 which is pivoted on a rib or elongated lug 8 and contains the helical spring 9 which contacts with and forces outwardly the plunger 6.

. The plunger head 6 is connected with a pivoted plate 10 by means of a pin 11 working in an elongated opening 12 in the plate 10. The plate l0 constitutes a bell crank lever and has a downwardly projecting arm 13 provided with rounded bearing surfaces 14 and 15, the latter being adapted to contact with a flange orprojection 16 on the rear of the latching member 4, and the bearing surface 14 being adapted to engage a projection 17 on the central part of the latching member 4:. Said projection 17 doesnot extend upward as far as the projection 16, thereby allowing the arm 13 of the plate 10 to pass above the same when the latch member is in extended position, as shown in Fig. 1. When the latch is in its withdrawn position, the arm 13 is located between the proj eetions'16 and 17 and a movement of the plate 10 about its pivot 18 will cause a corresponding horizontal movement of the latching member .4. The bearing vsurface 14 disengages the projection 17 when the latching member is in a position approximately one-half way between the position .ofthe plate 10, shownf in Fig. 2, and .that shown in Fig. l. The projection-17 constitutes a limiting check or stop which prevents the latching member being forced inward by exv ternal pressure for the'reason that when the plunger hasbeen vforced in to .the limit rof the slot 12 .the yplate begins tol rotate and causes the arms 13 tostrike against the projection 17.

The plunger head 6 is provided with a laterally projecting lug or arm 19 which moves into place behind they latching member 4 as -the latter passes toward its extended position. Thel pressure of the spring thereupon Will be'applied ,to the latching member 4 through saidlug 19 and project the latching member farther outward, Where it is thereafter lield under spring pressure.- It should be notedthat the location of the pivotpin '11 which connects the plate 10 with the plunger head 6 constitutes a toggle which maintains the plate in either of twov posi- -tions on each side of the line connecting the said pivot 1 8 with'the rib 8. In this-manner `the latching member 4 will be consequently held in either its extended or with- -drawn positiongdepending on the relation `ofthe plate 10 and the spring barrel 7.

vAs a means tocause said 4plate 10 to rotate so-as to withdraw the latching member 4, I provide a transverse angular shaft 20 which passes transversely through the caslng Tand carries on its outer end a lever Aor otherghandle 21. Upon the angular rod 20 is fixed an arm 22 which is adapted to co-ntact with the lower side of the spring bardicated in- Fig-"1.

rel 7 by means of the handle 21. This is in- A movement of the handle toward the right causes upward movement of the arm 22, thereby forcing the i the latching member.

spring-barrel 7 upward until it assumes the posltion shown in-.Fig. 2, thus withdrawing When itis desired to provide a key-operated lock forthe latch, I provide a lock barrel of any suitable type, such as that -inindicated-by the numeral'23, which controls the position of an arm or leveri24. When this is in the-position shown in dotted lines s in Fig.` 1, itv obstructs the path of the spring barrel 7, thereby preventing the arm 22 from i "forcing thesaid spring barrel upward when the handle 21 is operated. I also `preferably provide a bow or similar spring 25 vwhich maintains the-arm 22 in its inoperative position, and at the Same time contacts with a vprojection 26 .extending from lthelatching member 4. The spring`25 thereby tends to maintain the said latching member 4 in its correct position and prevents rattling thereof.

.The handle21 is primarily intended, when the latchA is used on an automobile door, vto be operated vfrom the inside ofthe body, and

thereby producing the same eect to withjdraw the latch as does a movement of the handle 21. The rod or shaft 27 is located in the `'position shown in order to provide unobstructed space for the lowering of the .windowjof a limousine or similar inclosed car; Otherwise, of course, the knob or handle 29 may be vplaced on the outer vend of the shaft 20.

The latchmember 4 is extended or thrown .into its engaged position automatically when thel door is-closed. 4This is accomplished by the following parts: Pivoted on the latch'- casing 3 is a sector-shaped lever 31 adapted to project inward through a slot in saidfcasing 3 (see-Figs. 1, 5 and 6)'. The opposite side of the' sector 31 extends into the path of a projection 32 on the plate 10,-as indicated in Fig. 1. A spring 33 has one end bearing against said sector 31and its other end bearing upon the projecting arm 28.

This tends to keep said sector 31 constantly in its extended position whether the projection '32 is in engagement therewith or not.

By referring to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be seen that when the door is closed, the sector 31 will come in contact with the door stop 34 on the door jamb and be pressed inward from the position indicated in Fig. 2, therel,bycausing the toggle formed by the plate 10 and vthe spring barrel 7 to pass its neutral point and consequently force the latching member 4 outward, where it is maintained under spring pressure by the lug 19, as above described.

In' order to hold the latching member 4 under spring pressure in all directions, the

v,Outer end ofthe sameis bifurcated and has pivoted between the sides thereof, a hookshaped lever 35v which may be termed a wedging portion or.' member, the curved inner end 36 of which isadapted to bear against the inner side of the casing 3, and the outer end thereof against one side of the recess 5, as indicated inr Fig. 3. The lever 35 eing pivoted' at 37, anoutward movement of the latching member 4 will cause a pressure on the hooked end 36 which willl produce a pressure on the opposite straight end of the lever in a direction transversel to the lock, thereby tending to force the door more tightly toward its closed position and .prevent rattling'when the door is used on an automobile or in any other place where `looseness is objectionable. By this arrangement -movement .of the latching member 4 relative tofthe door jamb 2 `is permitted in 'every direction under spring pressure, the

means for producing the samebeing provided by the spring 9 in the spring barrel 7 This arrangement also obviates the use of rubber buffers on the door stop, heretofore almost universally used, and acts in a manner similar to that of a wedge to force the door against its stop. -That is, the transverse pressure is proportioned to'the force 1toting longitudinally on the latching memer. I

Supposing the latching member 4 (Fig. 3) is being forced constantly toward the left under spring pressure, movement of the door body 1 to the right or to the left, toward or away from the jamb or casing 2 does not affectfthe latch. Similarly, a movement of the door 1 in a vertical direction (Fig. 1) relative tothe casing 2, has no effect, and also a movement transverse of the door 1 (Fig. 5). is permitted without affecting the latching member.

The numerals 38 and 39 indicate the ribs on the door and door casing, respectively, forming guides to aid the registering of the said parts, particularly if the door has a tendency to sag by reason of the wear or distortion of the hinges thereon.'

It should also be noted that it is impossible to have the latphing member or bolt 4 extended While the door is being closed, in which case it'would obviously'l injure the door j amb or break the bolt. Furthermore',

the bolt must be entirely withdrawn when sprmg 9 to completely withdraw the latch' the door is opened and so maintained until the door is closed again. This effect is produced by reason of the fact that the arm 13 (Fig. 1) must first move until .it contacts with the projection 16 before the latch 4 begins to be withdrawn, and thereafter the pin 11 passing its -neutral point causes the and so maintain it. Thus the direct pressure of the spring is first removed from the latch and transferred to the bell-crank lever allowing the latch to slide easily to its withdrawn position. In extending the latch when the door is' closed, the converse is true.

1t should be noted that either of the handles 21 or 29 may be operated to withdraw the latch Without affecting the other handle.

an opposed latch-engaging member, handle for withdrawing said latching member, a.

sures acting.- in opposite directions when in retracted and extended positions, and means for transmitting thev outward pressure of said member transversely thereof when in l latched position.

3. A latch comprising a handle for withdrawing the same, an opposed latch-engaging member, a spring for holding said latching member under pressures acting in opposite directions when in retracted and extended positions, and a connection between said spring and said handle to shift said spring to withdraw said latch'-l ing member when said-handle is operated.

f1. A latch comprising a latching member having a wedging portion, a spring acting to hold the same under positive spring pressure in both retracted and extended positions, a trip connected with said member and' adapted to move said latching member to its extended position, and an opposed latch-engaging member adapted to receive the wedging portion of said latching member and to be held under spring pressure by the action of said spring.

5. A latch comprisinga latching member, an opposed latch-engaging member, means for holding said latching member underv spring pressure acting in opposite directions when in retracted and extended positions, means operated by said latch engaging member for trippingsaidlatching member, a handle, and a connection between said latching member and handle for retracting said member, said connection being inoperative when said latching member is being extended. v

6. A latch comprising a latching member,

. It shouldalso'be notedthat when the ldoor a spring for holding the same yieldingly is beingl closed and the latching bolt thereby forced to its extended position, neither of theoperating handles is oscillated.

I do not wish to be limited to the details of form and arrangement of parts herein set forth, for various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention .as set forth in the follow ing claims.

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to` protect by LettersPatent is:

' 65 A1. A latch comprising alatching member,

a latching member,.

the saine, and a connection acting in one direction between said handle and `said latching member, said connection being inopera- I,tive when said latching member is being extended.4 i

7.` A latch comprlsmg a latchlng member, an opposed latch-engaging member, an opersition'.

ating handle, a spri-ng for holding s aid latching member in yielding engagement with said opposed member, means connected with .said handle for causingvthe` reverse of the outward pressure of said spring on said.

latching member and for withdrawing. the same, and means carriedby said latching member for producing a transverse yielding pressure on said latch-engaging member.'4

8. A 'latch comprising a latching member, a lever connected therewith Jfor operating the same, a spring acting on said lever, and

means for transferring the force of said ing the same, aspring actingA on said lever,

a lugdirectly connected with said' spring, and means for disengaging said lever from said/latching member and f or engaging said lug therewith as said member is extended.

11. A latch comprising a latching member, alever connectedtherewith for'operat- Aing the same, a spring acting on said lever .to maintain the same in Atwo positions under spring pressure, av xlug connected directlyy with said spring, and means for disengaging said lever from said latching memberand for engaging said lug therewith as said member is extended..

12. A latch comprisinga latchingvimember, a bell crankl .lever having one armadapted to engage the same, a spring pivoted' f at one lend'andhaving at its' other end a' con- -necting head which 'engages the other arml of said belll crank lever "andprovided withA a projecting lug, the path of'movementfof l said lug being arranged to intersect the path` of vmovement of -sa idlatching member, and means for disengaging the bell-crank lever l"from said member when said lug is in theD path of movement of said .latchingmember, ,whereby vsaid spring acts directly on said l levervto force the same outward.

16. A latch comprising a.

'Y 13. A latch comprising a latching"v meinber, an opposed latch-engaging member, a spring connected with said latching member and acting to hold the same under positive spring pressure in both retracted and extended positions, atrp` operating on said latching member and arranged to shift the action of said spring by contacting with said latch-engaging member to force said latching member outward. 14. A latch comprising a latching member provided witha recess having walls of 'unequal height, a bell-crank lever one of Whose arms is adapted .to enter said recess,

f a pivoted spring acting upon the other arm of said lever to maintain the sameupon-opposite sides of a medial line, an opposed and a lug connected with said spring and adapted to exert the force of said spring directly on said latching member whenthel latter is disengaged 'from the bell-crank lever and in itsv extended position.

l 15. A latch comprising a latching member, an opposed latch-engaging member, a

spring for holding said latching member eX'- tended, a lever connecting said spring and said latching' member, means for disengaging said lever from said 'latching member for a portion of its movement, and means for. transferring the pressure of said spring portion of its v movement.

latching member, an. opposedlatch-engaging member, a

.directly to said latching member during said spring for holding said latching member under positive. spring pressure in both eXL tended and retracted'positlons, a lever con-v necting saidv spring and said latching member, means for dfisengagng said lever from 'said latching member-for a portion of'its movement, and vmeans for transferring the 'pressure of said spring directly'tosaid latch-' t ing member during said .portion of its movep j r 10o Signed at NewYork, county and State-of New York, this 23rd dayof March, 1915.

LEON. OTTINGER.-

ment."

latchengaging -member, a tripl adapted to contact therewith and Vacting on said bellcrank lever toeXtend saidlatching member, 

